College survey reveals CL hygiene concerns

The College of Optometrists has embarked on a consumer awareness campaign to educate contact lens wearers of the risks of poor eye hygiene.

The campaign, which includes extensive PR activity and radio interviews, will highlight the findings of a College-commissioned study that reveals almost three quarters of wearers may be putting their vision at risk.

The study shows that one in five people lick their contact lenses before inserting them in their eyes and two out of five put their lenses in with dirty hands. Alarmingly, over 15 per cent of wearers will pick a contact lens off the floor and pop it straight in their eye without cleaning it, and 70 per cent of people keep their lenses in for far too long every day.